First Picture with new studio

[wonton]

Please advise on what you think will help. I have an AB800 flash and one 1000w tungston light. I used a reflector as well to try to even the light out on the left side. This is my first time experimenting with lighting so please, any help would be great. I want the background to be more white but if increase my flash my subject is too bright. Please critique and give me any suggestions.

[sdipirro]

Well, I'm no expert by any stretch of the imagination, but that's never stopped me from offering an opinion. First, you don't really want the lighting too even. Then it becomes flat an looks like a built-in flash was used. I'm assuming the AB800 was on camera right. You really want to focus on using that main light to illuminate the subject the way you want..on that side. Use a meter on that side of the subject to be sure it's what you want, if you have one. Use the reflector on camera left to provide a hint of light on that side, but you do want it slightly darker than the other side.. Maybe turn the baby slightly so he's not facing directly at the camera, although that can be tricky with a little one. You must be using the tungston light to illuminate the background, right? Where is the light? If you only use that light to illuminate the background, you should be able control the exposure of the background the way you want. Again, a meter would help. I suspect what you're doing is using the two lights and the reflector together to try to get the right balance of lighting and not thinking of separation between subject and background.

[BTBeilke]

I'm just investigating studio lighting at this time myself, so I am certainly no expert. However, I have played around with a couple of off camera flashes and a reflector with a white background. However, I think that you really need a dedicated background light to brighten up the white without blowing out your subject.

[wonton]

Your assumptions are correct. The AB is about where my camera would be. The tungston (continuous light) is slightly on my subject but pointed more towards the background. I might try to move that 2nd light to directly on the background. The reflector is to the left of that picture so there is not too much shadows.

Overall, what do you guys think of the picture. How could I improve it?

[sdipirro]

Overall, I think it's pretty good. I think a bit more contrast on the subject and better separation from the background would improve it...The hat wouldn't look quite so washed out with better separation. Cute kid and cute outfit, by the way. Looks like it'll make a great Easter card!

[fotofitness]

Wonton,
I think the picture is rather flat. I would try experimenting with someone other than a child so you can experiment with lighting techniques.
If I understand what you said, the AB is positioned above and behind you? If so, that is a big reason your photo is flat.

To simplify things, I would remove the reflect and continuous light.
Position the AB above the model and to the right or left 45 degree angle. Meter, take a shot. Play with the position some. Then add the reflector to the opposite side.

Im sure strobist has been mentioned a ton on here (I dont visit this site that often).
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html

here is an example from his blog with one strobe positioned shooter left at a 45 degree angle.
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3792/2480/1600/umbelise.jpg

See how much more depth there is to the subject? Place a reflector to the right and it will soften the shadows.

[kennykodak]

turn the subject's body so that the feet don't point towards camera position. bare toes would have been cute.

[wonton]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will try to do some of the things mentioned. Unfortunately my husband doesn't want to be my test model. LOL.